What does a data-use plan in an evaluation plan describe?

• A. A plan detailing how data will be analyzed, shared, and used to inform decisions; includes data security and accessibility.
• B. A schedule for data entry.
• C. A plan for distributing printed reports to stakeholders.
• D. A plan for increasing sample size.

Answer: (A)

This is about how data will be used to inform decisions in an evaluation. A data-use plan describes how data will be analyzed, how findings will be shared with stakeholders, and how the results will guide decisions and actions. It also specifies data security and accessibility—who can view the data, how it’s stored, and how access is controlled—so that the information remains trustworthy and usable. In addition, a data-use plan covers broader data management aspects like quality, standards, storage, retention, and governance to ensure data remain reliable throughout the evaluation. This makes the plan practical: it shows not just what will be learned, but how those learnings will be applied and protected in real-world use. The other options don’t fit because they focus on data entry timing, report dissemination, or study design (sample size), rather than on how data are analyzed, shared, and used to inform decisions.